I’m James Gelding, and I was lucky enough to win the previous owner review contest. That competition allowed me to spend a week in Melbourne with auto expert team when they conducted the Ute Mega Test last year. During that test, I assisted in collecting and organizing performance data for each vehicle.
Long story, it was an explosion! So I’m happy to receive an offer to join the team again as they conduct the big 4WD SUV test!
What happens in the Mega CarExpert Test?
ONE auto expert mega test is designed to thoroughly test the quality of a large cross-section of the vehicle most valued by buyers. We have thoroughly tested their towing capacity, both by tractor and 2800kg box tractor on ‘alpine’ roads.
This is complemented by a terrain test and a drag race, because who doesn’t love an old drag race?
Mega Test starts late on Mother’s Day at the pick up area at Melbourne Airport. The federal team gathered and got to know each other, while watching lead video producer Igor deftly park the Ford Everest Platinum after two attempts and cause a traffic jam. Excitement filled the air as the group was briefed and assigned to drive their first car.
Early the next morning, all twelve team members gathered with their vehicles at Lang Lang to get ready for a day of action-packed filming and testing at VinFast’s test range. Testing at a test site allowed us to sample the car in conditions that simulated roads across the country. In addition, it allows for consistent, secure, and repeatable testing.
We took advantage of the favorable weather and started to conduct drag tests. The high speed bowl is used to collect idling performance data for all vehicles. This data includes accelerations, fuel economy figures, and emergency brake tests.
Soon after, the same tests were repeated with a trailer that did not include the emergency brake test.
Tractor Dyne is an advanced and unique device that we have used to put the vehicle’s drivetrain under considerable stress to test towing performance. The trailer’s wheels are connected to a computer-controlled reducer that can increase drag on the vehicle at the touch of a button.
This test is extremely useful in determining the efficiency of a vehicle’s powertrain, checking fuel economy under heavy loads, and how various software-controlled systems (such as such as cruise control).
Next, we used a 2800kg trailer to test the play dynamics while a trailer towed that trailer around Lang Lang’s ‘alpine handling’ road. This is one of my favorite facilities because the low-friction pavement and tight back-ups really put a car through its paces. This only becomes more difficult when a vehicle is towing.
This test really covers every situation you could expect to find when pulling out on the street. Excessive suspension deflection is punishable because towing vehicles must do their best to maintain control over steep and bumpy roads. The challenge becomes more complicated when the track with long uphill and downhill sections is handled at higher speeds.
At the end of our time at Lang Lang, the team used skid pans to drag racing competitors in a safe and consistent environment. While it all seemed like pointless fun, the races gave us interesting insight into comparable performance between vehicles.
The next day was a logistical day (mostly), as we traded the fertile fields of Lang Lang for the mountainous jungle surrounding Anglesea with a go-kart racing spot also incorporated.
Many team members thought they would take the top spot at the karts (mostly Igor). But alas, hearts were broken and dreams were shattered as Paul took home the top honors – unfortunately, something the rest of the team will hear about for the rest of the trip!
The week ended with off-road testing at the Australian Automotive Research Center in Anglesea. We’ve used some interesting obstacles that vehicles can pass or slip over – to add an objective result that reinforces subjective assessments of vehicle performance.
These obstacles include a set of free-spinning rollers concave into a graded hill, a set of offset tycoons, 30% heavy rutted hill climbs and 45% hill climbs and downs shale slope. To overcome these obstacles, vehicles must have solid mechanical components complemented by well-tuned electronic systems.
That action-packed week was ended with two days of logistics as the organization behind this test was critical to its success. Along with the wonderful memories of that week were terabytes of footage and numerous spreadsheets of data. All footage and data are collated so that the accounts that wrote can back up the YouTube videos produced immediately afterwards.
What surprised me the most about this process?
Similar to the ute mega test, the organization involved in the filming and the care that the team took to collect the relevant data surprised me the most.
Now that they have the ute mega test, the members of the video production team are even more methodical in setting up the required footage.
There’s a surprising number of microphones and cameras that all need to be charged, have enough storage space, and be synced. All these elements can’t miss a beat to capture not only the key moments but also the B-roll that accompanies the key shots.
In addition, photographs were taken inside and outside the vehicle to document the testing process.
Data collection takes place in a similar manner. Data collection is handled in a more efficient way, allowing for smooth testing. The team took great care to record objective data to support Paul’s subjective impressions of a vehicle.
The data overlaid on large YouTube test videos also gives consumers the opportunity to compare vehicles they may be interested in. This combined to provide auto expert mega examines an overarching quality rarely found today.
Which 4WD SUV impresses me the most?
Some of these SUVs have impressed me. But what surprised me the most might not be what you expect.
This test features cars that take up every price point. Starting from the lower segment, we have the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and the SsangYong Rexton. Climbing through the mid-range segment, we have vehicles like Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu MU-X and Ford Everest in Trend specs. Go up a notch and we’ve got top-spec Toyota Prado and Ford Everest with V6 engines.
In the end we had cars like Land Rover Defender, Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, Lexus LX600 etc as the most expensive cars tested.
More expensive cars have six and even eight cylinders and lots of cool features. I was tasked with recording various pieces of data and was lucky enough to drive a shotgun for most of my testing, so I’ve enjoyed the fun these cars have to offer.
Of particular note is the Land Rover Defender and its air suspension. The air suspension gives the Defender impressive ride comfort, but it remains stable around Lang Lang’s cruise and handling. On the topic of ride comfort, the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series is also a standout, and its V6 turbocharged diesel delivers impressive punch.
However, these cars have a sticker price of over $100,000. When the value proposition was considered, there was one car that impressed me the most: the Isuzu MU-X.
After driving the MU-X, it was clear that it hit the sweet spot. Sure, the Ford Everest boasts more technology and refinement, but overall, the Everest range is more expensive than the MU-X.
Compare the MU-X with the similarly positioned Toyota Fortuner, and stepping inside the Fortuner feels like stepping back in time – the MU-X simply has a more modern and better equipped cabin.
The favorable bang-for-buck equation continues with the way the MU-X drives. While the Everest and its pricier rivals are more refined, the MU-X holds its ground against long-standing but established rivals from Toyota and Mitsubishi.
Its 3.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel feels overwhelming, and the six-speed automatic transmission paired with it is a smooth shifter and completely out of my mind. The ride quality is good as the MU-X is a ute-based SUV and is one notch above the Fortuner it competes with.
All in all, the MU-X is an all-round performer while still being attractive for value.
Summary of 4WD SUV big test
After gaining experience from the ute mega test, the team worked like a well-oiled machine to create a thorough and high-quality set of videos that deliver concrete results that confirm driving impressions by Paul.
Being part of a performance and traction test around the legendary Lang Lang test range is as exciting as ever, and doing an action-packed off-road test came to a perfect end of the week. .
However, no week is perfect and losing to Paul in karts is certainly a low point. However, all was forgotten after seeing Igor’s face as he realized he had to step up to third place instead of first on the podium!
While the team worked hard, the week felt like a vacation for us to indulge our passion for cars and cars. auto expert Teams are always great to work with! A big thank you to you auto expert the team has been with me on another big test, it’s a privilege!
THAN: Best 4WD SUV 2023
